BlackArmor NAS Network Storage Server

[sanders555]

I'm having this problem as well with my 220 and have been working for HOURS to figure it out... The XBox will play the Vista sample videos (wmv's) but no other videos even show up on the list. Ugh. I'm contemplating returning it since it seems hardly anyone has been able to resolve this.

[Chris_H]

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infotek411 wrote:

mygk1234,

  Those items you mentioned in your previous post were checked. 

  After some testing I found that the dlna server was dying.  If I disable and reenable the "Media Service", and on the PS3 quickly scan the network for new media servers I will see it.  I can play a little bit of a video and then the DLNA server seems to crash as the PS3 gives an error and a additional scan from the PS3 does not find the dlna server.

  Files are always offered in reverse numerical sequence.  For instance, If I had "Home.Movie.1.avi" and "Home.Movie.2.avi" the DLNA server offers them in the order of video number 2 and then video number 1.  This is a problem when I have the videos in a directory "BirthdayDec2004" and want to watch them in numerical order.

  Side note,  The dlna server used on Seagate BlackArmor does not offer files named *.divx .  This is the name of the file used to register the divx codec on the PS3.  This file extension should not be filtered.

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I had a similar issue where the iTunes server would serve my music, but the DLNA server (I presume as accessed via PS3; for me I use Mediaconnect for the iPhone or Songbird) dies.  It appears in the list of devices and then disappeared with an "unavailable" error.  Even when I was unable to access the DLNA server, I could still access iTunes server.  

After some investigation I found that the problem started when the server encounters some incompatible media files - initially, it fell over when I copied some FLAC files, but I observed similar with incompatible video files too.  It would be useful if seagate could provide a defiitive list of which files are "safe" for the server and won't cause it to crash.  The problem is resolved by removing the files and restarting the server, but it is a bit of a trial and error process.

Other issues that I have noticed with the BA 440

1. Album art does not appear in the DLNA browser - what format does this need to be in order to display?

2. Playlists - I can use m3u files within some DLNA applications, but is it possible to set up a playlist on the server to use within iTunes.

Thanks in advance

Chris

[andrea federigi]

IT IS A FRAUD FROM SEAGATE.

NAS ANY SERIES IT IS NOT DLNA COMPILANT AND SEAGATE SUPPORT REPLY TO ME.

[infotek411]

I fixed mine by finding multiple security flaws in the device, Using those security flaws to modify the firmware and install Twonky Media server.  It now works great.  There are multiple security flaws that still exist in the firmware that Seagate has been unwilling to communicate with me about.

The "DNLA" server they used in the shipping firmware was MT-DAAP fireflymediaserver.org... and does not fully support DLNA.  The Mods will not help you with this issue.  I have considered and been given permission from seagate to post a modified firmware... but i'm hesitant to maintain it.

[infotek411]

Firefly Media Server (formerly mt-daapd) is an open-source media server (or daemon) for the Roku SoundBridge and iTunes. It serves media files using Roku Server Protocol (RSP) and Digital Audio Access Protocol (DAAP).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firefly_Media_Server

There is no mention of DLNA and the DLNA support was very weak.

[beeDub24]

While it would be great to get an altered firmware, I would be hesitant to try it because there doesn't seem to be a way to 'downgrade' the firmware if there was a problem.

Just out of curiosity, how extensive is the process to hack into the BlackArmor and install another media server?

BTW: I couldn't be more disappointed, because this issue has apparently been festering for well over a year with no notable attention from Seagate - needless to say I'll be modifying my 'stellar' reviews online...

[bmcqueen]

Hi Infotek411,

Can you make the modded firmware available to me? I would be interested in maintaining a Twonky media server version of the code.

Regards,

[bmcqueen]

Any chance you could provide the steps I'd need to take in order to install twonky media server on the Blackarmor 400 series? The current media server is unusable.

[CopaDon]

I have the Seagate FreeAgent Theater+ connected to my Sony LCD, and it's working fine, for all but ripped BluRays.

I set up a shortcut with a login and password on the FAT+ after creating and populating the shares on the BA440.